NZ3125

[Brenton]

I would like to discuss the P40 NZ3125. There is photo I saw some time ago, offered for sale on Ebay, that I posted a copy of on the P40 pile thread. I think Ebay said it was NZ 3125 at Rukuhia and now it's assumed it is. So I'd like to know all there is to know about the planes history and so on.The photo matches that of a P40n-1 for starters.You can see it has external LG indicators.

[Brenton]

Also to note....the plane behind it is coded FE-B1 which is NZ3147 ??.........(NZ314 P-40N-1....Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BoC at Hobsonville on 27 July 1943.
To No.16 Squadron.
Sold to J. Larsen from Rukuhia on 02 March 1948.)That plane in the photo doesn't look like an n-1.

[denysjones]

According to Charles Darby's list of the P40's at Rukuhia in 1962 3125 is as P40N-1 c/n 28449 USAAF s/n 42-104687 boc 3/5/41 and also was FE-X at an earlier stage of life.

The same source gives 3147 as another N-1 c/n 28513 USAAF s/n 42-104751 no boc given/known

hth

[Brenton]

That's great news as it looks like that photo is indeed NZ3125. It also looks like the plane was at the very least painted in preparation for a trip to the islands. Does anyone know if it did in fact make it there ? BTW has WoNZ a copy of Charles Darby's list ?

[SEAN]

The info held in the "Doomsday Book" RNZAF Aircraft Register for NZ3125 is:

Type of A/C - Warhawk P40N-1-CU, Type of Engine Installed - Allison V1710-81 Airframe Data - Air Ministry No 259, USAAC No 42-104687, Manufacturers No 28449, Engine Data - Engine No 43-10868, Manufactures No 22501. Year of Allocation - 1943, Date received 25.6.43 via the Vessel Akaroa at Hobsonville. Issued to Mr Larsen 2.3.48.

The info held for NZ3147 is:

Type of A/C - Warhawk P40N-1-CU, Type of Engine Installed - Allison V1710-F20R (81) Airframe Data - Air Ministry No 323, USAAC No 42-104757, Manufacturers No 28513, Engine Data - Engine No 43-10958, Manufactures No 22591. Year of Allocation - 1942, Date received 27.7.43 via the Vessel John McKay at Hobsonville. Issued to Mr Larsen 2.3.48.

Hope this helps.

[SEAN]

Actually, looking at the hand writing again for NZ3147, the USAAC Airframe No is 42-104751 NOT 42-104757

[Brenton]

The only info I can find about a WW2 era vessel called John McKay is of a cable laying ship?

[isc]

The ship name John McKay sounds like it might be a Liberty Ship. isc

Had a look through the names of Liberty Ships, nothing there. One interesting find I did have was in the list of Victory Ships #6 SS New Zealand Victory, christened and sponcored by Mrs Walter Nash, Mr Nash was NZ rep in Washington. Keel layed Jan 9th 44.   isc

[Brenton]

Yes I think most likely and 'our' good old Akaroa may have been a good deal faster.

[buzz]

SS John W Mackay was a liberty ship launched 6th Jun 1943. May have been the spelling of Mackay that threw you off.

Very interest in "Doomsday Book" RNZAF Aircraft Register can anyone advise (educate this poor Aussie) what it is and how one might get a copy (if available). Very interested in the P-40 data it might contain.

Regards

Buz

[tbf25o4]

The "Doomsday Book" is the colloquial term used within the RNZAF for the official aircraft register "AF380" the original book was a handwritten register 70cm x 30cm x 7cm thick.
The original register is lodged with the Air Force Museum and covers aircraft from 1939 - 1968. After that a cardex then computer system replaced the original AF380.
You cannot obtain a copy from public sources. Extracts from the book have appeared on various websites, the most accurate being the ADF serials website.

[Brenton]

What would be the answer if you requested a copy of the information pertaining to the P40's only ?
I can add that NZ3125 was flown twice (21.6.44 and 3.7.44 ) by my father Allan Emett as part of the OTU2 sqn. This was at the same time as Byran Cox was flying with OTU4. NZ3125 had already served with the RNZAF for about a year by then so chances are it had been to the Pacific Islands.

[Dave Homewood]

Funnily enough I saw Simon Moody looking up that very book today for a P-40's fate while I was in the Archives. Drop him an email Brenton, at [e-mail] and see what he can find

[Brenton]

Thanks Dave, I'll do that.

[Brenton]

I have received a reply from the museum and they have nothing other than what can be found at www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzkittyhawk.htm which was compiled from their RNZAF Aircraft Register. So they don't have the photo seen at the top of the thread ? I'll leave it for Dave to decide if they need to know of it ?